Johnny Cueto facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Johnny Cueto |
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Cueto with the Marlins in 2023
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| Free agent | |||
| Pitcher | |||
| Born: February 15, 1986 San Pedro de Macorís, Dominican Republic |
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| debut | |||
| April 3, 2008, for the Cincinnati Reds | |||
| MLB statistics (through 2024 season) |
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| Win–loss record | 144–113 | ||
| Earned run average | 3.52 | ||
| Strikeouts | 1,857 | ||
| Teams | |||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||
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Johnny Cueto Ortiz (born February 15, 1986) is a baseball pitcher from the Dominican Republic. He has played for several teams in Major League Baseball (MLB). These teams include the Cincinnati Reds, Kansas City Royals, San Francisco Giants, Chicago White Sox, Miami Marlins, and Los Angeles Angels.
Cueto started his MLB career in 2008. By 2011, he became one of the best pitchers for the Reds. He was known as an "ace" pitcher. In 2012, he won 19 games and had a low earned run average (ERA) of 2.78. This helped the Reds win their division. He also finished fourth in the voting for the Cy Young Award, which goes to the best pitcher.
In 2014, Cueto had an amazing season. He won 20 games and had an even lower ERA of 2.25. He also led the National League in strikeouts. He was the runner-up for the Cy Young Award that year.
Cueto was chosen as an MLB All-Star twice, in 2014 and 2016. In 2016, he was even the starting pitcher for the All-Star Game. From 2011 to 2017, he had one of the lowest ERAs among all pitchers. He had a 2.94 ERA and won 90 games. In 2018, he had a surgery called Tommy John surgery.
Contents
- Early Life & Baseball Beginnings
- Major League Baseball Career
- Pitching Style & Influences
- World Baseball Classic
- Personal Life
- See also
Early Life & Baseball Beginnings
Johnny Cueto Ortiz was born on February 15, 1986. He grew up in San Pedro de Macorís, Dominican Republic.
Starting in the Minor Leagues
Cueto began his professional baseball journey in 2004. He signed with the Cincinnati Reds as a young player. He spent three seasons playing in the minor leagues. During this time, he showed great talent.
In 2005, he played for the Gulf Coast Reds. Then he moved up to the Sarasota Reds. In 2006, he played for the Dayton Dragons. He even threw a no-hitter in one game. By 2007, he moved through three different levels of minor league baseball. He played for the Chattanooga Lookouts and the Louisville Bats. He was named the Reds' Minor League Pitcher of the Year twice.
Major League Baseball Career
Cincinnati Reds: Rising to Stardom (2008–2015)
First Years with the Reds (2008-2010)
Cueto made his MLB debut on April 3, 2008. He played for the Reds against the Arizona Diamondbacks. In his first game, he pitched very well. He struck out 10 batters and allowed only one hit. He was the first Reds pitcher since 1900 to strike out 10 batters in his first MLB game. He won his first game, helping the Reds win 3–2.
In 2009, Cueto showed both good and bad games. He had a great start to the season. But he struggled in some games later on. He finished the year with 11 wins and 11 losses. In 2010, he became more consistent. He even pitched a one-hit shutout against the Pittsburgh Pirates. During the 2010 season, Cueto was suspended for seven games. This was due to his actions during a fight between the Reds and the St. Louis Cardinals. After the 2010 season, Cueto signed a four-year contract with the Reds.
Breakout Seasons (2011-2012)
The 2011 season was a big year for Cueto. He started the season on the injured list. But when he returned, he pitched very well. He threw a complete game shutout against the San Francisco Giants. He had one of the best ERAs in MLB that year. He finished the season with a 9–5 record and a 2.31 ERA.
In 2012, Cueto pitched over 200 innings for the first time. He won 19 games and had a 2.78 ERA. He also struck out 170 batters. He was one of the top pitchers in the National League. The Reds won their division again. Cueto finished fourth in the voting for the Cy Young Award.
Injuries and All-Star Success (2013-2015)
Cueto faced many injuries in 2013. He only made 11 starts that season. He was chosen to start a playoff game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Pirates fans chanted his name loudly. Cueto struggled in that game, and the Reds lost.
In 2014, Cueto had an amazing comeback season. He pitched at least seven innings in many of his starts. He threw a complete game shutout against the Pirates. He also threw another complete game in his next start. He was selected to his first All-Star Game. He finished the 2014 season with 20 wins and a 2.25 ERA. He led the National League in strikeouts. He finished second in the Cy Young Award voting.
In 2015, Cueto continued to pitch well for the Reds. He recorded his 1,000th career strikeout. He pitched a two-hit shutout against the Nationals. The Reds decided to trade Cueto to the Kansas City Royals. He had a 2.62 ERA in 19 starts for the Reds that year.
Kansas City Royals: World Series Champion (2015)
On July 26, 2015, Cueto joined the Kansas City Royals. In his first home game with the Royals, he pitched a complete game shutout. This was a great start with his new team.
After a strong start, Cueto had some struggles. But he pitched very well in the playoffs. In Game 5 of the American League Division Series, he helped the Royals win. He then pitched a complete game in Game 2 of the World Series. He allowed only two hits and one run. This helped the Royals win that game 7–1. The Royals went on to win the World Series in 5 games. This gave Cueto his first championship ring.
San Francisco Giants: New Team, More Success (2016–2021)
Becoming a Giants Ace (2016)
In December 2015, Cueto signed a six-year contract with the San Francisco Giants. He quickly became a top pitcher for the Giants. In April 2016, he won his 100th career game. He became the twelfth Dominican-born pitcher to reach this milestone. He also threw two more complete game shutouts that season.
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In July 2016, Cueto was selected for his second All-Star game. He was even chosen to be the starting pitcher for the National League team. He finished his first season with the Giants with 18 wins and a 2.79 ERA. He pitched over 200 innings and had 198 strikeouts. He finished sixth in the voting for the National League Cy Young Award.
Later Years with the Giants (2017-2021)
In 2017, Cueto dealt with injuries and had an inconsistent season. He finished with an 8–8 record and a 4.52 ERA. In 2018, he started the season strong. But he later needed Tommy John surgery on his elbow. This surgery ended his season early.
Cueto returned from surgery in 2019. He pitched in four games that season. In 2020, he started 12 games in the shortened season. In 2021, he had a 7–7 record with a 4.08 ERA in 22 games.
Later Career Teams (2022-2024)
In 2022, Cueto signed with the Chicago White Sox. He made his debut with them in May. In 2023, he signed with the Miami Marlins. He dealt with more injuries that year. He was placed on the injured list multiple times.
In 2024, Cueto signed a minor league contract with the Texas Rangers. He later chose to become a free agent. In July 2024, he signed with the Los Angeles Angels. He pitched in two games for the Angels before becoming a free agent again in September.
Pitching Style & Influences
Johnny Cueto throws many different types of pitches. His main pitches are a four-seam fastball (fast and straight) and a two-seam fastball (moves a little). He also throws a slider, a cutter, a changeup, and a curveball. He often uses his slider when he has two strikes on a batter.
Cueto is known for his unique wind-up. Sometimes, he spins his body so his back faces the batter before he throws the ball. This unusual style has been compared to other famous pitchers like Luis Tiant.
Cueto's path to MLB was challenging because of his height. Many teams thought he was too short. But he found inspiration in another smaller Dominican pitcher, Pedro Martínez. Cueto said that Pedro Martínez was his hero and role model.
World Baseball Classic
Cueto has represented the Dominican Republic national baseball team in the World Baseball Classic. He played in the 2009 tournament. He was scheduled to play in 2013 and 2017 but missed those tournaments due to injury or family illness.
Personal Life
Johnny Cueto has three children. He has two sons named Johnny Jr. and Joande. He also has a daughter named Yeiliani.
See also
In Spanish: Johnny Cueto para niños
- List of baseball players who underwent Tommy John surgery
